Wedding dress code for guests

[Thanksitsfromvinted]

More of a colour scheme as opposed to a dress code. Our wedding is not very traditional we’re going quite relaxed almost festival vibes. OH and myself have decided to save on costs and have no bridesmaids or groomsmen. Both of us have been bm and gm for friends and found it a task and never loved what we’ve had to wear and didn’t want to put that responsibility on people, it also saves us a fortune as we would have had needed to pay for minimum 5 dresses/suits each. Have lots of brothers and sisters between us and loads of lovely friends and we couldn’t really decide who to include in the bridal party without including everyone who came to the day haha! So instead we’re asking our guests to pick a colour from our colour scheme to base their outfit around, there’s quite a few colours to choose from hence the festival vibe and we want to put somewhere that even a hint of the colour is fine (shoes, bag, tie) so it’s not a dress code but more of an encouragement. This is so we can have all our lovely nearest and dearest in photos etc and they all look involved.

I’ve had one or two comments that asking people to dress a certain way is ridiculous, I’ve explained that giving them a colour scheme and their own choice of outfit was meant to be less restrictive than plopping all our family in dresses/suits of our choosing.

what do you think?

Please don't put pointless restrictions and suggestions on your invitations.

You're not having a bridal party so that YOU can save money.
Don't push the onus into others who are attending your wedding.

Suggestion it may be to you - to those receiving the invitation it will read as a 'you should wear these colours or we won't be happy.'

Wedding photographs aren't really an 'activity' for guests. They are just part of a wedding day, something that needs to be done. Most guests want them over quickly so they can get in with enjoying the day.

Most people know how to dress for a wedding ime. And many people already have outfits in their wardrobe for such occasions - they might not want to spend money on new items, but don't have the 'right colours' but now feel awkward not wearing them.

These days weddings cost a ton of money for guests once you take into account clothes, travel, hotels, gifts, etc, Don't then try to dictate what clothes people can wear.

Just because you presumably chose to go to the Italian wedding doesn't mean that couple should feel they have to agree with your restriction on clothing. I'm assuming you weren't forced to go and spend the money in attending, and it was a choice you made.

God, this is so cringe @Thanksitsfromvinted don’t do it!

The trouble is some people will worry anyway. Why stress people out unnecessarily?

Colour schemes for guests at a wedding sounds like a main character syndrome symptom.

I agree with you

We had a summer wedding, (which I assume yours will be) and didn't stipulate anything and naturally everyone wore bright wonderful colours. After seeing my husband to be, it was the next thing I noticed when I walked into the ceremony.

When it comes to weddings, the less you 'direct' guests the nicer the whole thing is in my experience.

I'm struggling to understand what you're going for? Like the colors being pink, black and green I.e black suit with a pink tie? And if wearing a yellow summer dress it would be fun for that guest to have green nails?

I don't mind a color theme as long as its easy colors and somehow nicely mentioned that assesocries is enough.

Let people wear whatever they want! They will thank you for it.

No doubt we will find out when invited guests start threads on mumsnet about how ridiculous this wedding dress code set by the bride is

I'd hate this. Sorry.

Just no.

I don't think it will work if it's optional?

I would be busy that day and refuse the invite.

It’s a bit naff. I bought an expensive dress last year for a family wedding. If anyone I know gets married in the next few years - THAT is the dress I’m wearing, it’s bright pink, if that doesn’t fit your dress code I’ve then got to go out and buy a new one when I’ve got a £300 dress that fits, no one has seen before and I like wearing. Same as my husband, he has loads of ties but none of them are red, green, yellow or orange so we have to go and buy a new one if those are the colours on your list.

To be honest if two people have actually complained to your face there will be many more privately muttering and eye rolling.

I can’t imagine many people reading this on an invite and thinking “oh what a delightful idea I can’t wait choose an outfit to fit the theme”

I actually love weddings and am about to attend the 38th wedding I have ever been invited to. The only dress code I have ever had at an English wedding was when it was a black tie and evening gown affair and they stipulated this on the invite. It was a relatives wedding and my goodness people were really snippy about it, DH has black tie anyway but many people didn’t.

I just wouldn’t put a dress code down.

What’s your colour scheme?

I would understand having a colour scheme if you’re going for a certain theme but surely a festival theme can be any colour so I understand the need for a colour scheme.

I do think theme weddings are difficult for guests as not everyone has the money to buy a specific brand new outfit but it’s your wedding and people don’t have to attend.

I went to a wedding with an optional but not really optional colour theme. It's by far the stupidest thing my lovely but sometimes demanding friend has ever done.

ew. what a nasty comment.

Your wedding, your choice. As long as you accept some people might decline their invite.

Remember this is the UK where we don't largely do style, so you could end up with some hideous choices.

I agree we didn’t do formal photos for this reason. Instead we went to have our photos done and the guests were provided entertainment and canapés while that was going on.

Laid back festival vibe but you must wear one of these colours. Yeah, I wouldn't go

If you were a very close friend, I'd happily do it.

I thought festival clothes were shorts, skimpy tops, wellies etc? And festivals don't have a colour scheme. Just let everyone wear whatever they like and have all of them in the photos - it will look lovely and relaxed.

I used to find dress shopping for events like weddings and christenings really stressful. Now I just rewear the same 2 or 3 dresses for each event and it means I can just relax in the run-up. A colour scheme would stress me out all over again sorry OP.